There is a t-shirt that says "Born in Maine, Living in Exile." I lived in "exile" (actually a very nice place) for 32 years, and returned to Maine in 2005. That's not necessarily what all this is about, just the only title I could think of at the time.

Friday, October 23, 2009

Friday Five: Our Favorite Music

Writing at RevGalBlogPals, Songbird tells us: “When I was a very little girl growing up in Virginia, I never missed a Sunday going to Court Street Baptist Church. But there was something else that made Sundays special, and that was "Davey and Goliath." Every week the opening strains of the theme song would find me lying on the floor, chin on hands, looking up expectantly to watch the adventures of a clay boy and his big dog. What I didn't realize was who wrote that music, the hymn "A Mighty Fortress is Our God."

It was the same Martin Luther who said: "I have no use for cranks who despise music, because it is a gift of God. Music drives away the Devil and makes people gay; they forget thereby all wrath, unchastity, arrogance, and the like. Next after theology, I give to music the highest place and the greatest honor." On this Friday before Reformation Sunday, let's talk about music. Share with us five pieces of music that draw you closer to the Divine, that elevate your mood or take you to your happy place. They might be sung or instrumental, ancient or modern, sacred or popular...whatever touches you. Some of us even love hymns. (Well, I do.)"

1. I love hymns too, and of late years Anonymous 4 has begun recording some. But their music takes me closer to the Divine even if I can’t understand the words. See if you have the same reaction: (I added links to the videos for people with slow connections)

3. I can appreciate tenors, but I really like the baritones and basses. Gordon Bok is one of my favorites. Like Priscilla Herdman, he does write some of his own songs, but also has a genius for finding and performing other folks’ songs. When I was “living in exile” he was a welcome reminder of Maine. Here’s one of his own songs, with some really nice pictures to go along with it:

4. I like all kinds of Celtic music, and when I really need a lift I turn to Chris Norman, “The Man with the Wooden Flute.” I’m especially fond of his solo albums, but all I could find to share was this video from The Bar-Olk Project (=baroque + folk):

5. I hope I don’t get flamed for this, but I really do love Christmas music. Advent music, Solstice music, Chanukah music, winter music. (Kwanzaa music? The only piece I’ve heard was one Cordeliaknits’ choir did for a winter holiday concert several years ago. I think she was one of the ones who got to yell out “Kujichagulia!” I think it would be fun to put together some music for the days of Kwanzaa, highlighting the principles each day celebrates. Maybe I’ll do that this year.) Now, I do have standards. Don’t go bringing me any solo renditions of O Come All Ye Faithful, a hymn which cries out for a minimum of four voices (and those voices better be the Clancy Brothers). My favorites are either the less well-known songs or old favorites done in really new ways. The Miserable Offenders score on both counts. Go here and scroll down a bit to listen to a couple of their songs, and I bet you too will want to track down their CD Keepin’ the Baby Awake. For more of my favorites, stay tuned in a little over a month for the second annual Advent Calendar of Stories and Songs.